Call Before You Dig

Submitted by Barbara Broxterman, Agricultural Engineer

Most of our conservation practices require some type of soil disturbance or earth movement which requires that the landowner and the contractor to locate and have underground utilities marked prior to construction.

The new 811 number is a national “Call Before You Dig” phone number designated by the FCC to eliminate the confusion of multiple “Call Before You Dig” numbers and help save lives by minimizing damages to underground utilities. One easy phone call to 811 quickly begins the process of getting underground utility lines marked. Local One Call Center personnel will then notify affected utility companies, who will send crews to mark underground lines for free. This is especially good for locations that are near or at state lines.

The West Virginia local contact is Miss Utility at 1-800-245-4848.

Knowing where underground utility lines are buried before each digging project begins helps to prevent injury, expense and penalties. The depth of utility lines may vary and multiple utility lines may exist in one area. Simple digging jobs can damage utility lines and can disrupt vital services to an entire neighborhood, harm those who dig, and result in expensive fines and repair costs.

For more information, go to http://www.call811.com/about-us/default.aspx

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